Self-Cooling Garment System and Method of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A self-cooling garment system and method of using the same provides for a central unit system having at least one motor, blower, and battery disposed in its interior, at least one port on its upper side, at least one tube connected to the at least one port, and at least one garment configured to support the at least one tube. The blower may be configured to blow cool air through the tube, thereby releasing cool air throughout the garment and cooling the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/456,447 filed on Feb. 8, 2017, the disclosure of which, including anymaterials incorporated by reference therein, is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments. Moreparticularly, the present invention concerns a self-cooling article ofclothing.

BACKGROUND

Clothing that can keep the wearer cool is advantageous in manycircumstances, among them when the wearer is working out or outside on ahot day. Unfortunately, most of these articles of clothing rely onpassive cooling means, such as merely maximizing the airflow through thematerial. A need exists therefore for an active self-cooling garmentsolution.

Various attempts to meet this need have been made. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,564,124, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein,generally discloses a vest having a battery-powered blower thatcirculates air through the garment. Unfortunately, this disclosure andothers like it are hampered by ineffective designs and bulky equipment.

Another attempt can be seen with respect to the disclosure of U.S. Pat.No. 6,128,784, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, whichgenerally discloses a self-ventilating vest. Although this disclosuredoes provide for a breathing-powered ventilation system, its ability tocool a user is limited by the temperature of the surrounding air.

Yet another variation on this theme can be seen with respect to U.S.Pat. No. 5,386,823, incorporated by reference herein, which generallydiscloses a vest or suit connected by tubes to a central air coolingstation. While this disclosure provides for cold air circulation throughthe user's garment or harness, a user is limited in practicing thisdisclosure by being required to maintain a certain distance from thelarge generator.

Various attempts have been made to solve the problems which may be foundin the related art but have thus far been unsuccessful. A need thereforeexists for a reliable self-cooling garment system and method of usingthe same to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that in the present disclosure, all embodimentsare provided as illustrative and non-limiting representatives of manypossible embodiments. In addition, the terms “is,” “can,” “will,” andthe like are herein used as synonyms for and interchangeable with termssuch as “may,” “may provide for,” and “it is contemplated that thepresent invention may” and so forth.

Furthermore, all elements listed by name, such as a shirt, tube, vent,etc., are herein meant to include or encompass all equivalents for suchelements. For example, in addition to a “shirt”, any wearable item orgarment is also contemplated by the present invention. Such equivalentsare contemplated for each element named in its particular herein.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures of the present invention are provided herein. It is to beunderstood that not all such aspects, advantages, or novel features maybe provided in any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosedsubject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one aspect, advantage, or novel feature or group offeatures without achieving all aspects, advantages, or novel features asmay be taught or suggested.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known art, thepresent invention relates to a self-cooling garment system and method ofusing the same that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. Thegeneral purpose of the present invention, which shall be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to allow a user to remain cool inwarm environments or during heat-generating activities.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel areparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concludingportion of the specification. By way of non-limiting example, thepresent invention provides a novel solution for maintaining a user'sbody temperature. These and other features, aspects, and advantages ofthe present invention will become better understood with reference tothe following drawings and detailed description.

The present invention comprises a self-cooling garment system and methodof using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention providesfor a cooling apparatus (or “unit system” herein) that may be configuredto blow cool air through one or more tubes or cavities that may bepositioned either in, under, or on top of at least one garment, therebydispersing cool air throughout the tubes and cooling the wearer.Conceptually, in some embodiments, it is contemplated that the presentinvention may be similar to a furnace blower that blows air through ahouse via ductwork, except that the present invention may blow cool airthrough ductwork attached to or integrated within a garment.

In some embodiments, the cooling apparatus may be a smallbattery-operated operated blower that may be, by way of non-limitingexample, worn as a belt buckle, clipped on the user's pants, or clippedonto a user's belt. In other embodiments it may be clipped to a shirt orotherwise located elsewhere on a garment or the user's person. Thecooling apparatus (or “unit system”) may be configured to blow cool airthrough thin fabric-like tubes in the user's clothing such as by way ofillustration and not limitation, shirts or pants.

The cooling apparatus may also provide for one or more ports. In someembodiments the one or more ports may utilize one or more magneticconnection elements. The one or more ports may provide for a dockinglocation to connect a tube's end element to the apparatus. In someembodiments, a single tube with two ends may connect from one port, runthrough the garment, and connect into the other port, thereby creating aloop for the cool air. In other embodiments, two or more tubes may beutilized, wherein each tube has two ends, wherein one end of the tubemay be connected to the apparatus via one or more ports, and the otherend of the tube may be open and unconnected, thereby providing for coolair release. The cooling apparatus may also provide for an air intakeport that may be larger than either or both of the one or moreconnection ports, so as to facilitate faster air intake. In someembodiments, the present invention may provide for a thin metal ring atthe ends of one or more tubes that will connect magnetically to thecooling apparatus casing for an easy quick attachment.

In some embodiments, the tubes may be made of a very thin wind prooffabric that will lay flat when there is no air going through them. Insome embodiments, the tubes may be thin and/or fabric-like tubes. Insome embodiments, the air may simply exit at the end of the tube (forexample, inside the shirt or pants), cooling down the wearer. The tubesmay originate around the user's waist where the apparatus may be locatedand may run “up” and “out” in a v-formation, thereby maximizing thepresent invention's coolable surface area relative to the user's body.In some embodiments, the tubes may run in a different arrangement.

The at least one battery may be, for example, a lithium ion battery. Thepresent invention's one or more batteries may be rechargeable simply byplugging it into a wall outlet.

In some embodiments, the user may be able to choose different styles,such as by way of non-limiting example sportswear, workwear, and thelike, with various tube placements sewn into the shirt or pants. Thissewn-in configuration may serve to cool down the wearer from the climatehe/she is in or perhaps from an exercise he/she is doing.

In an exemplary method of use, in some embodiments, a user may first puton a garment, such as by way of illustration and not limitation a shirt,that contains one or more tubes, clip the cooling apparatus to a belt,insert one or more tube ends into one or more connection ports providedby the cooling apparatus, turn on the cooling apparatus, and enjoycooling air circulating through the present invention's tubes, therebycooling the user.

In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for either aspray or small sheets, similar to dryer sheets, that may be used inconjunction with the blower and/or tubes to send a burst of fresh smellin with the air. Similar to applying deodorant to mask a bad smell, insome embodiments, these and other features may be for post-workout useor during meetings. These sheets or spray elements may be optionallyprovided as part of a kit embodiment. Similarly, in some embodiments thecooling apparatus or blower may be configured to blow warm or hot air,rather than cool or cold air, through one or more tubes.

The unique features of this product will provide the following benefitsfor consumers everywhere: it may cool down persons who feel too warm; itmay enhance the production of workers in hot environments; it mayenhance the performance of users such as athletes; it may reduce airconditioning costs; it may create a pleasant cooling sensation for thewearer; it may prevent overheating or heat-stress dangers for personswho are at risk of suffering such illness due to their health or becauseof the activity/work that they are doing in warmer and warmer climates;and may provide other benefits as well.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the invention has beendescribed in terms of the components and configurations, it isunderstood to that the invention is not intended to be limited to thosespecific dimensions or configurations but is to be accorded the fullbreadth and scope of the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a self-cooling garment system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a self-cooling garment systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative rear view of a self-cooling garment systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cutaway interior rear perspective view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up perspective view of at least one element of aself-cooling garment system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up perspective view of at least one element of aself-cooling garment system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a self-cooling garment systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein a garmentelement is omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a self-cooling garment systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein all garmentelements are shown.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of using a self-cooling garment system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art byproviding a new and more effective self-cooling garment system andmethod of using the same.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example onlyand are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown inthese Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood bythose with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, theactual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of anembodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by itsintended use.

It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptionsare provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention andnot to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specificationto “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “anembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicatecorrespondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digitof each reference number indicates the figure where the element firstappears.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise,the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”,“comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives,components, integers or steps.

In the following description, specific details are given to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. Well-known features,elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not toobscure the embodiments.

Turning attention to FIG. 1, a rear perspective view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention isshown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive coolingapparatus 101, mesh grill 102, on/off button 103, charging dock 104,blower fan 105, unit system 106, air vent 107, first port 108 and secondport 109.

In some embodiments, mesh grill 102 may be configured as a screen overfirst port 108. Relatedly, in some embodiments, air vent 107 may beconfigured as a vent or screen above second port 109. Mesh grill 102and/or air vent 107 may be configured as fine mesh, as generally shownin FIG. 1, or in other embodiments may be more porous. In someembodiments, mesh grill 102 and/or air vent 107 may be composed of anymaterial known in the art, such as but not limited to plastic, metal,elastomer, ceramic, wood, carbon fiber, any other inorganic or organicpolymer, or any combination of materials or elements known in the art.

On/off button 103 may be configured differently in some embodiments,such as but not limited to a slider switch, a touchscreen activationswitch, a knob, or any other button or switch known in the art.

Blower fan 105 may, in some embodiments, be configured differently thangenerally shown in FIG. 1. For example, in some embodiments, blower fan105 may configured to rotate around a central point of axis. In otherembodiments, magnetism may propel one or more parts of blower fan 105 inone or more directions, creating a wind current. In some embodiments,blower fan 105 may be configured to use magnetism alone to generate theair flow required by the present invention. Blower fan 105 may usesuction or other vacuum-based air flow techniques as well.

Unit system 106 generally indicates cooling apparatus of the presentinvention, including the circuitry, processor(s), wiring, and so forthnecessary to allow the present invention to function. As those of skillin the art will appreciate, unit system 106 may vary depending onembodiment. For example, in some embodiments, unit system 106 may belarger or smaller than generally shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, in someembodiments, unit system 106 may be of a different shape, such as by wayof illustration and not limitation disc-shaped or spherical. Unit system106 may also vary in configuration based on the type or volume of airflow required by the present invention. Unit system 106 may beconfigured to blow more or less air than generally shown in FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, unit system 106 may be composed of any material knownin the art, such as but not limited to plastic, metal, elastomer,ceramic, wood, carbon fiber, any other inorganic or organic polymer, orany combination of materials or elements known in the art.

In some embodiments, first port 108 and second port 109 may beconfigured to connect with one or more air tubes (not shown in FIG. 1).In some such embodiments, first port 108 may be configured as an airintake port whereas second port 109 may be configured as an air outflowport. Conversely, in some embodiments, first port 108 may be configuredas an air outflow port whereas second port 109 may be configured as anair inflow port. In some embodiments, both first port 108 and secondport 109 may be configured for air outflow, or both first port 108 andsecond port 109 may be configured for air inflow. In some embodiments,additional ports may be provided (not shown in FIG. 1) in addition tofirst port 108 and second port 109. In some embodiments, first port 108and second port 109 may be composed of any material known in the art,such as but not limited to plastic, metal, elastomer, ceramic, wood,carbon fiber, any other inorganic or organic polymer, or any combinationof materials or elements known in the art.

With respect to FIG. 2, a front perspective view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention isshown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive fan vent grill201, along with cooling apparatus 101, mesh grill 102, unit system 106,air vent 107, first port 108 and second port 109.

In some embodiments, fan vent grill 201 may be comprised of similar oridentical materials as mesh grill 102 and/or air vent 107. In otherembodiments, fan vent grill 201 may be comprised of one or moredifferent materials. Although shown in FIG. 1, as a circle, any of fanvent grill 201, mesh grill 102 and/or air vent 107 may be of any shapeknown in the art, or any depth relative to the plane of the outersurface of unit system 106.

With regards to FIG. 3, an alternative rear view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention isshown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive belt clip 301,as well as cooling apparatus 101, mesh grill 102, on/off button 103,charging dock 104, unit system 106, air vent 107, first port 108 andsecond port 109.

Those of skill in the art will note that any removable attachmentelement could be substituted for, and is indeed contemplated as asubstitute for, belt clip 301. Such elements could be a carabiner, ahook and loop fastening element, magnetic pairings, snap enclosures,strings for tying and untying, or any other element configured tosupport removable attachment.

Turning attention to FIG. 4, a cutaway interior rear perspective view ofa self-cooling garment system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceiveair tube 401, electric motor 402, battery 403, and centrifugal blower404, in addition to cooling apparatus 101, mesh grill 102, on/off button103, charging dock 104, unit system 106, air vent 107, first port 108and second port 109.

As may be known to those of skill in the art, air tube 401, in someembodiments, may be wider or narrower, longer or shorter than disclosedin FIG. 4. Additionally, air tube 401 may be of any material known inthe art, such as but not limited to plastic, metal, elastomer, ceramic,wood, carbon fiber, any other inorganic or organic polymer, or anycombination of materials or elements known in the art. In someembodiments, as generally disclosed elsewhere herein, air tube 401 mayprovide for one or more holes along the surface of air tube 401, andtherefore may be configured to enable air to escape air tube 401 alongits length, thereby in some embodiments cooling a user at regularintervals.

As mentioned above, centrifugal blower 404 may be any blower known inthe art, including blowers of different air circulation techniques thanthe centrifugal blower 404 of FIG. 4. Centrifugal blower 404 may belarger or smaller or of a different type than generally shown in FIG. 4as well.

Relatedly, electric motor 402 may be any motor known in the art,including non-electric motors. As well, battery 403 may be any batteryknown in the art, such as a lithium ion battery, a traditional battery,or a battery configured to receive and store electrical power from oneor more solar voltaic cells and/or solar panel (not pictured).

With respect to FIG. 5, a close-up perspective view of at least oneelement of a self-cooling garment system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention is disclosed. In the embodiment depicted, aviewer may perceive magnetic ring 501, as well as air tube 401, meshgrill 102, unit system 106, air vent 107, first port 108 and second port109.

Magnetic ring 501 is conceived as a convenient connection anddisconnection element for air tube 401 to connect with either or both offirst port 108 and second port 109 so that unit system 106 may blow airdirectly into air tube 401 once air tube 401 is connected to unit system106. In other embodiments, connection and/disconnection methods otherthan magnetism may take the place of magnetic ring 501, such as but notlimited to male/female connections, snap-connections, twist-to-lockconnections, or any other type of removable connections known in theart.

Turning attention to FIG. 6, a close-up perspective view of at least oneelement of a self-cooling garment system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, aviewer may perceive air circulation 601, small holes 602, and air tube401.

With regard to FIG. 7, a front perspective view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,wherein a garment element is omitted, is disclosed. In the embodimentdepicted, a viewer may perceive windbreaker nylon material 701 and belt702, along with air tube 401, fan vent grill 201, and unit system 106.

In some embodiments, a material other than windbreaker nylon material701 may be used as a lining for air tube 401. Exemplary materialsinclude elastomer, natural fibers or filaments, plastic, or any othermaterial disclosed herein. However, in embodiments utilizing windbreakernylon material 701 as a lining for air tube 401, it is contemplated thatthe thin, flexible, and yet windproof elements of windbreaker nylonmaterial 701 may enable the present invention to transfer air reliably,quickly, and without causing a user to receive skin abrasions.

In addition to or in substitution for belt 702, the present inventionmay provide that unit system 106 may connect to an over-the-shoulderstrap, or directly to a user's garment, such as a shirt.

Turning attention to FIG. 8, a front perspective view of a self-coolinggarment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,wherein all garment elements are shown, is disclosed. In the embodimentdepicted, a viewer may perceive windbreaker material 701, belt 702, airtube 401, fan vent grill 201, and unit system 106.

With respect to FIG. 9, a method of using a self-cooling garment systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention is disclosed. In theembodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive the steps of identifyingtubes in garment 901, putting on (don) a garment 902, clipping thecooling apparatus to a belt (or other object) 903, inserting one or moretube ends into one or more connection ports of the cooling apparatus904, turning on the cooling apparatus 905, and adjusting the air flowtemperature and flow rate as necessary 906.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described with a degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example and that other versions are possible. As variouschanges could be made in the above description without departing fromthe scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beillustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope ofthe appended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred versions contained in this disclosure.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims,abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or processdisclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations whereat least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Eachfeature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract,and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” forperforming a specified function or “step” for performing a specifiedfunction should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

While the present invention generally described herein has beendisclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and describedin detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those ofskill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-cooling garment system, comprising: atleast one unit system having a top side, a unit system interior, a unitsystem perimeter; a unit system front side, a unit system rear side andat least one port disposed on the unit system top side; at least onetube having at least one tube surface, a first tube end and a secondtube end, wherein the first tube end is configured to removably matewith the at least one port; at least one blower disposed on the unitsystem interior, wherein the at least one blower is configured toconduct air into the at least one port; at least one motor disposed onthe unit system interior, wherein the at least one motor is configuredto cause the at least one blower to conduct air into the at least oneport; at least one battery disposed on the unit system interior, whereinthe at least one battery is configured to power the at least one motor;at least one on/off switch disposed on the at least one unit systemperimeter, wherein the at least one on/off switch is configured to causethe at least one battery to power the at least one motor when the atleast one on/off switch is in an on position; at least one charging portconfigured to conduct an electrical current to the at least one batterywhen the at least one charging port is connected to a charger; at leastone fan vent grill disposed on the at least one unit system front side;at least one attachment element disposed on the at least one unit systemrear side; and at least one garment configured to house the at least onetube.
 2. The self-cooling garment system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one port is an air intake port and an air outflow port.
 3. Theself-cooling garment system of claim 2, wherein the first tube end isconfigured to removably mate with the air intake port and the secondtube end is configured to removably mate with the air outflow port. 4.The self-cooling garment system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneport is a first air outflow port and a second air outflow port.
 5. Theself-cooling garment system of claim 4, wherein the at least one tube isa first tube having a first tube first end and a first tube second endand a second tube having a second tube first end and a second tubesecond end, and wherein the first tube first end is configured toremovably mate with the first air outflow port and the second tube firstend is configured to removably mate with the second air outflow port. 6.The self-cooling garment system of claim 1, wherein the at least onetube has at least one hole disposed on the at least one tube surface. 7.The self-cooling garment system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneattachment element is at least one belt clip.
 8. The self-coolinggarment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one the first tube endis configured to removably mate with the at least one port via at leastone magnetic coupling element.
 9. The self-cooling garment system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one battery is a lithium ion battery. 10.A method of using a self-cooling garment system, the method comprising:providing at least one unit system having a top side, a unit systeminterior, a unit system front side, a unit system rear side and at leastone port disposed on the unit system top side; providing at least onetube having at least one tube surface, a first tube end and a secondtube end, wherein the first tube end is configured to removably matewith the at least one port; providing at least one blower disposed onthe unit system interior, wherein the at least one blower is configuredto conduct air into the at least one port; providing at least one motordisposed on the unit system interior, wherein the at least one motor isconfigured to cause the at least one blower to conduct air into the atleast one port; providing at least one battery disposed on the unitsystem interior, wherein the at least one battery is configured to powerthe at least one motor; providing at least one on/off button disposed onthe at least one unit system perimeter, wherein the at least one on/offbutton is configured to cause the at least one battery to power the atleast one motor when the at least one on/off button is in an onposition; providing at least one charging port configured to conduct anelectrical current to the at least one battery when the at least onecharging port is connected to a charger; providing at least one fan ventgrill disposed on the at least one unit system front side; providing atleast one attachment element disposed on the at least one unit systemrear side; providing at least one garment configured to house the atleast one tube; providing a belt; donning the belt; arranging the atleast one tube into a selected position within the at least one garment;donning the at least one garment; attaching the at least one attachmentelement to the belt; inserting at least one first tube ends into atleast one port; and switching the on/off button into the on position.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one port is an airintake port and an air outflow port.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first tube end is configured to removably mate with the air intakeport and the second tube end is configured to removably mate with theair outflow port.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least oneport is a first air outflow port and a second air outflow port.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the at least one tube is a first tube havinga first tube first end and a first tube second end and a second tubehaving a second tube first end and a second tube second end, and whereinthe first tube first end is configured to removably mate with the firstair outflow port and the second tube first end is configured toremovably mate with the second air outflow port.
 15. The method of claim10, wherein the at least one tube has at least one hole disposed on theat least one tube surface.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the atleast one attachment element is at least one belt clip.
 17. The methodof claim 10, wherein the at least one the first tube end is configuredto removably mate with the at least one port via at least one magneticcoupling element.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least onebattery is a lithium ion battery.